External Funding

In addition to Southeast Asia Program and Einaudi Center funding opportunities, you can pursue a wide range of external scholarships, fellowships, and grants to support your work.

If you would like to receive regular updates about SEAP funding deadlines, events, career opportunities, and more, be sure to fill out our student form. SEAP has curated this list of funding sources outside of Cornell that will be particularly relevant for those with an interest in Southeast Asia.

Undergraduates

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is an undergraduate program for U.S. citizens of limited financial means to enable them to study abroad, thereby internationalizing their outlook and better preparing them to thrive in the global economy.

Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen and a Federal Pell Grant recipient.

Application deadline: Typically closes in early October. 

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)

A Freeman-ASIA award provides need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, and books. The program is sponsored by the Freeman Foundation. The Freeman Foundation's major objective include strengthening the bonds of friendship between the United States and countries of East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. For undergraduates only.

Application deadline: Application opens February 2027.

Boren Scholarships

The Boren Awards promote long-term linguistic and cultural immersion. Proposed programs of two or more semester are strongly encouraged. Boren funding must cover a continuous period of overseas study. Boren scholars should seek study abroad programs that have a serious language component. Language study should compromise the majority of overseas coursework. Beyond the classroom, language immersion may take place in university housing with local students, in homestays with local families, or through research or volunteering conducted in the local language. There is no minimum proficiency requirement for most languages. Languages should be studied in a preferred country where they are spoken by a significant portion of the population. 

Note: undergraduates majoring in subjects marked as STEM are eligible for summer-only awards of at least eight weeks' duration.

Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen.

Application deadline: Typically closes in January. 

Luce Scholars

The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program. It was launched by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in American society. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields who have had limited exposure to Asia. The program is open to both U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Those who already have significant experience in Asia or Asian studies are not eligible for the Luce Scholars program. However, candidates may have taken Asian language or Asia-focused courses, without majoring in Asian studies. They may have spent up to a total of 18 weeks in countries where Luce Scholars are placed. Successful candidates will have a record of high achievement, outstanding leadership ability, and clearly defined interests with evidence of potential for professional accomplishments.

Eligibility: Must be a graduating senior.

Application deadline: Typically closes in September.

Graduates

Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) Research Fellowship Program

CIPS invites qualified researchers to join the Visiting Research Fellowship Program. The program offers opportunities for both Indonesians and non-Indonesian nationals who are completing their Indonesia-related PhD and post-graduate theses abroad, to conduct field research in Indonesia for up to six months. CIPS also opens the opportunity for postdoctoral or non-degree fellowships.

Application Deadline: None - Accepts applications year-round.

Center for Khmer (CKS) Senior Fellowship Program

CKS provides in-country research fellowships for U.S., Cambodian, and French undergraduates (or EU citizens holding a French degree), along with scholars and doctoral students, on a yearly basis. CKS senior research fellows are given direct funding for their research and access to CKS in-country resources and provided with logistical support and contacts while in the country.

Application Deadline: Due November 30, 2025.

SSRC Planning Grants for Collaborative Indian Ocean Research

The Social Science Research Council's Transregional Collaboratory on the Indian Ocean invites proposals for 12-month planning grants to develop collaborative research projects that deepen understanding of the effects of political, economic, and social processes in contexts of profound climate and environmental change in and across Indian Ocean countries. This funding is open to individual applicants, to small teams at the early stages of formation, and to established research teams intending to embark on new areas of inquiry. Planning grants may be used for the purposes of preliminary field research, networking, workshops, or other activities beneficial to the further development of collaborative research.

Application Deadline: The deadline has passed for this year.

Institute of International Education

The Institute of International Education has numerous programs and scholarships designed to help students and professionals focusing on the Asia-Pacific region to develop as leaders in their chosen field.  They have a regional office in Bangkok, Thailand.

Application Deadline: Various.

Boren Fellowships

The Boren Fellowships are designed to give graduate students maximum flexibility to pursue their academic goals alongside their study of the target language. Boren Fellowship applicants may be matriculated in or applying to a graduated degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Fellows must have a serious language component in their overseas study proposals. This is the only required element, so proposals to enroll in a traditional language program will be sufficient. Graduate students are encouraged to simultaneously pursue research relevant to their degrees, additional academic coursework, and/or internships. If these activities are conducted in the target language, they may be considered part of the language component of the proposal. 

Application deadline: Typically closes in January. 

Blakemore Freeman Fellowships

The Blakemore Foundation, with the support of the Freeman Foundation, awards grants to graduating seniors, college graduates, graduate students, and working professionals for an academic year abroad in full-time intensive Asian language study. The fellowships cover tuition and a stipend for related educational expenses, basic living costs and transportation. Superior candidates pursuing careers in fields such as academia, international business, accounting, law, medicine, STEM, journalism, architecture, teaching, social or NGO work, and government service are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility: Available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Application deadline: December 30, 2026

Luce Scholars Program

The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program. It was launched by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in American society. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields who have had limited exposure to Asia. The program, open to both U.S. citizens and permanent residents, is unique among American-Asian exchanges in that it is intended for young leaders who have had limited experience of Asia and who might not otherwise have an opportunity in the normal course of their careers to come to know Asia. Those who already have significant experience in Asia or Asian studies are not eligible for the Luce Scholars Program. The Luce Scholar year involves a commitment of about thirteen months, from mid-June until late July of the following year.

Eligibility: Applicants must be under 32 to apply.

Application deadline: Typically closes in September. 

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